New Year's Eve

I saw the idea for a New Year's Tree on Pinterest and thought we'd try it out for our family New Year's Eve party/FHE.

Maybe it will become a new tradition???

 The kids helped me to decorate the tree. We stuffed balloons with silly jokes and also placed sparkly icicles, circle garland and noise makers on the tree.

 We topped it off with a Happy New Year hat and 2013 glasses.

 In the evening, we gathered for pizza and treats.

 After dinner, we did the kid gift exchange. Each cousin brought a white elephant gift to give. We sang "Jingle Bells" as they passed the gifts around in a circle. When the song ended, the gift in their lap was theirs.

 The Clawson's had just moved back from Arizona. We were so happy to have their family back in our midst.

Missing Dean and Candice's family though.

 We sent the kids to play, and then the adults did their own white elephant gift exchange.

As midnight approached, we popped the balloons and read the silly jokes. Kyrick was the most entertained..and most entertaining. We would read the joke and then the kids would laugh. As Kyrick figured the joke out, he would laugh extra hard and really get a kick out of it. Sometimes he would admit he didn't get it..but when explained, it was funny all over again.

Taylee 

Treyson 

Kyrick 

Abree 

Audrey 

Grandpa Waite 

Grandma McKinley 

 Lexie & Tyrel

Sydney

Maliah

Minutes before midnight, we turned on the t.v. and watched the ball drop as we counted down from 10. The kids went crazy with noise makers..for the few minutes we adults could stand it...then it was back on the tree for next year. :)

Happy 2013!!!